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Spring Maintenance Guide for Pumps

The spring months are inherently linked with the de-winterization of gardens, and possibly cottages as well. Besides taking care of plants and garden furniture, don't forget about pump maintenance. How to ensure everything is ready for the new season?

Overview of Pump Types

Pumps are used in gardens for drawing water from wells, boreholes, pools, ponds, or rainwater tanks. Generally, they can be divided into submersible and surface (self-priming), with self-priming pumps for wells being suitable for depths of up to 7-8 meters. For deep drilled wells, submersible pumps for wells are intended, and for boreholes, special narrow submersible pumps for boreholes are used. To pump water into domestic systems, it is also necessary to acquire a domestic waterworks with a pressure tank (commonly known as a water darling).

Surface pumps are mostly winterized in gardens and cottages. Submersible pumps for boreholes are designed for long-term submersion but are not frost-resistant. Therefore, if you winterize the water source, you must also remove and winterize the pump.

Before the spring season, it is necessary to check, clean, and possibly replace worn parts of the pumps to ensure their efficiency and long lifespan.

Submersible pump for boreholes Grundfos SQE

Pumps for boreholes have a specific shape

Post-Winter Pump Maintenance in 4 Steps

No matter what type of pumps you have, all of them deserve your attention after winter, regardless of whether they were used during winter or not. How to proceed?

Preparation for Pump Maintenance and Pressurizing the Domestic Waterworks

Before the actual pump maintenance, prepare the necessary tools, cloths, and brushes for cleaning, and possibly spare parts. Don't forget about safety precautions – ensure the pump is disconnected from electricity.

In the case of a domestic waterworks, check and adjust the pressure in the tank. First, turn off and disconnect the pump and drain all water from the pressure tank. Then measure the pressure using a manometer, which is part of the waterworks. Refill the pressure using the valve until its value reaches 90% of the switch-on pressure on the pressure switch. After starting the pump and filling the pressure tank, check the pressure once more.

Domestic waterworks Wilo

Domestic waterworks Wilo with a pressure tank and manometer

Visual Inspection of the Pump and Replacement of Components

First, thoroughly inspect the pump. Pumps contain parts that may wear out and need to be replaced. Most commonly, this involves seals, which have a lifespan of about 3 years. Also, check cables, starting ropes, cooling jackets, hoses, and connecting materials.

If any components show signs of damage, wear, or corrosion, choose from our range of spare parts for pumps. In case of extensive damage, consider purchasing a new pump. We are happy to provide you with free expert advice when selecting.

Cleaning the Pump and Filter Maintenance

A visual inspection may also reveal clogging or contamination of the pump. Deposits need to be removed as they can cause reduced performance or pump blockage. It may also happen that the pump "seizes" during winter. In that case, it is good to rotate it with a wrench to free the shaft.

When cleaning, focus on both the external and internal parts, especially the suction basket and hose. If you use a filter for mechanical impurities, it needs to be cleaned by rinsing under running water before the season. Cartridge filters have a limited lifespan. If it has expired, they need to be replaced.

Connecting and Testing the Well Pump

After inspection and cleaning, connect and seal the pump. Turn it on, submerge it in water, and observe if it runs and air bubbles out. If air escapes, let it bubble out. Then the pump is ready for use.

However, it may happen that the pump does not run. This likely means it became overgrown during winter – try turning it on and off a few times to get it spinning. If that doesn't help, seek service where the pump will be professionally disassembled and cleaned, or the exact cause of the malfunction will be determined.

Another common problem after winter is that the pressure tank of the domestic waterworks takes unusually long to fill. The cause may be wear of the pump's hydraulics, which requires replacement.

Ensure that the pumped water does not contain an excessive amount of solid particles

Regular Maintenance is the Best Prevention of Problems During the Season

Pump maintenance is inseparably linked with water source maintenance. Therefore, before the season, have a water analysis from the well done, which will tell you the content of solid particles. If it is higher than the pump manufacturer allows, you must clean the well or borehole. An excessive amount of mechanical impurities leads to pump clogging and then motor destruction. You can manage cleaning a dug well yourself, but for cleaning a drilled well, it is better to contact professionals.

During the season, remember that pumps do not fare well with dry running, insufficient cooling, voltage fluctuations, and frequent starting and stopping. These factors significantly increase the risk of malfunctions and shorten the lifespan of pumps. Therefore, ensure the pump is placed at a sufficient depth, use dry run protection, and regularly check the pressure. If you experience frequent voltage fluctuations in the electrical network, choose a pump with a frequency converter that regulates the pump's speed.

Spring maintenance and cleaning of pumps can save you a lot of trouble and money during the season, even if you do not plan to use the pumps this year for some reason. If the pump motor is not turned on for more than a year, it could seize.

Choose from our wide range of pumps